What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid
Astringent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Diisostearyl Malate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, C12-16 Alcohols, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tranexamic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Water, Octyldodecanol, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Glycine Soja Sterols, Xanthan Gum, Oleyl Alcohol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Tromethamine
BufferingBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Panax Ginseng Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Retinol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Caramel, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is a biosurfactant ferment made when the yeast Candida bombicola ferments glucose plus methyl rapeseedate. This kind of ferment is best known for producing sophorolipids (a family of glycolipid biosurfactants) which brands use as mild cleansing agents.
What it does;
Lab work on purified acidic sophorolipids suggests they can be less cytotoxic/irritating in skin-model testing than a common harsh surfactant (SLES) at the tested conditions.
By the way, the final cosmetic ingredient does not contain live yeast. It’s a processed fermentation-derived ingredient.
Learn more about Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate FermentCorallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioner used to make skincare products feel more lightweight on the skin. It helps improve slip and spreadability without feeling greasy.
Because it is high molecular weight and lipophilic (oil loving), it remains on the surface of skin.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it is used to bind ingredients together. Many ingredients, such as oils and water, separate naturally. Emulsifiers prevent them from separating to ensure even consistency in texture.
One of the manufacturer for this ingredient states it is vegetable-based. It is also claimed to be stable at both high and low temperatures.
This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearatePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water